Abstract: Self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect transfer of collapsing force to other crossing points which are pivotally joined. An improved hub structure for pivotally joining ends of the rod elements at the outer and inner apical points is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for installing insulation in metal buildings and the like. The apparatus includes a grid supported from the upper flanges of the purlins of the metal building and providing struts and shelves to support an insulation blanket below the upper flanges of the purlins. The shelves support the blanket along its edges and the struts support the blanket at intervals along its length. In accordance with the method, the grids are assembled and then pushed out along the purlins and are dropped down between the purlins while being supported from the upper flanges thereof. With such method, it is not necessary for workmen to work out along the purlins and the grids can be installed while the workmen stand on an end platform on panels of a partially completed roof.

Abstract: Self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect transfer of collapsing force to other crossing points which are pivotally joined. An improved hub structure for pivotally joining ends of the rod elements at the outer and inner apical points is also disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsable, articulated wall structure is formed from pivotally interconnected links. In an erected configuration, the wall has a generally planar face which is suitable for hanging display posters. In a collapsed configuration, the wall folds into a compact bundle of generally parallel links. The wall is comprised of a plurality of rectangular parallelpiped sections. Each section has a first plurality of pivots in the four corners defining a face of the section and a second plurality of pivots on the other four corners of the section. The first plurality of pivots is connected with the second plurality of pivots by a plurality of side links which are pivotally interconnected in an X-shaped arrangement. Displaced slightly inward from the face plane is a face pivot which is connected to the first plurality of pivots by four face links. The section is releasably locked in its erected configuration by a locking link.

Abstract: A foldable and curvilinearly extensible structure fabricated from a plurality of foldable and extensible base modules. Each base module is fabricated from six rigid members swivelly connected end-to-end in a closed figure with intersecting rigid members being pivotally connected. The length of the first and fourth rigid members is selectively predetermined to provide the overall triangular configuration of the structure with a generally isosceles triangular configuration. Importantly, the placement of pivots in the second and fifth rigid members and the third and sixth rigid members is predetermined by the length to the midpoint of the first and fourth rigid members. A plurality of base modules are selectively interconnected at adjacent swivels to thereby provide the enlarged, foldable and curvilinearly extensible truss-like structure.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter structure having a pair of collapsible frame members disposed at opposed ends thereof for supporting panel means which extend therebetween, wherein the collapsible frame means include a braced lazy-tong structure which is designed to maintain the frames in erect disposition, and wherein bracing strut means are pivotally coupled to alternate outer apices of the lazy-tong structure for rendering the frame means both stable and rigid. To further enhance rigidity of the erect structure, the inner apices are normally formed as a straight angle when the shelter structure is in erect form, with these inner apices forming a series of spaced points along a semicircle of fixed radius. The collapsible shelter means may be taken down and stored in collapsed form when desired, with generally rigid or durable base side panels being provided to protect the structure from inadvertent damage during use and during storage.

Abstract: An elevating device is described having one or more pairs of crossed scissors members, each member having at least two telescoping sections. The scissors members are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to each other, and means are included for interconnecting opposed scissors members for effecting extension of the telescoping sections in response to the pivoting of the scissors members.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable beam structure comprising a plural-sided structure, each side formed of consecutive pairs of scissor links pivotally connected end-to-end to form a side. The plural-sided figure is connected by intermediate sides and the main sides are interconnected through pivot members which pivot the ends of the links and interconnect the sides. The pivot members combined to form a locking device to maintain the beam in an erected position and further support a tensioning means whenever it is desired to tension the beam.

Abstract: An adjustable scaffold having a platform supported from a base by at least two sets of scissors connectors, and a lifting means for adjusting the platform between stored and elevated positions. The lifting means is pivotally attached between, rather than within, the sets of scissors connectors.

Abstract: An aerial lift including a pivotable boom with a pivot end that moves horizontally as the load end of the boom is raised and lowered, allowing the load end to move along a substantially vertical line. The boom is mounted on a vertically adjustable, substantially horizontal mounting table which cooperates with the boom to provide a lift with a greater reaching range.

Abstract: Self-supporting structures and panels of diverse shapes are disclosed in which basic assemblies of crossed rod elements are employed to achieve the desired shape. Further, the crossing points of crossed rod elements in the structure involved may include limited sliding connections which effect transfer of collapsing force to other crossing points which are pivotally joined. An improved hub structure for pivotally joining ends of the rod elements at the outer and inner apical points is also disclosed.

Abstract: The specification discloses a camouflage disrupter frame for supporting camouflage netting in order to camouflage an object. The disrupter frame includes a plurality of elongated links pivotally interconnected at the ends thereof to form a parallelogram configuration when the frame is expanded from a normally closed position to an open position. An elongated flexible bow member is connected across the frame and has a linear configuration when the frame is closed. The flexible bow member is flexed and bent outwardly from the parallelogram configuration when the frame is expanded to the open position. When the bow member is flexed, the bow member tends to return the frame to the closed position. A strap is adapted to be connected across a corner of the frame to prevent the return of the frame to the closed position. A camouflage netting may be attached to and supported by the disrupter frame to provide anirregular three dimensional camouflage shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an articulated netting of annular shape making it possible for example to adapt the size of shuttering to the various diameters of round, conical or other constructions.

Abstract: A system of articulated planes foldable from a planar configuration to a compact low-volume form. The structure is formed of a series of hinged planes, the planes having inwardly hinged joints at one edge and outwardly hinged joints at an opposite edge, such that the series of planes can be folded in the manner of the sides of an accordion bellows. A plurality of such articulated planes can be arranged in parallel fashion, such that the folds of the second series mesh with those of the first, the folds of the third series mesh with those of the second, etc. The hinges joining the planes are thus positioned in aligned rows transverse to the extent of the plane series and are dimensioned to accommodate the folding action. The hinges of each outside series have a broader span than the adjacent inner one.

Abstract: A collapsible, self-supporting structure is disclosed wherein the structure is made up of a network of rod elements pivotally joined at their ends and forming scissors-like pairs in which rod element crossing points are pivotally joined. The network consists of a plurality of pairs of inner and outer apical points where groups of radiating rods are pivotally joined. The outer apical points lie on a surface of revolution such as a spherical section and each group of rods radiating from an inner apical point lie essentially in a common plane whereby to effect the self-supporting action. For any pair of apical points the group of rods defining the inner apical point radiate in their common plane and join rods of other groups at the surrounding outer apical points.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter structure having a pair of collapsible frame members disposed at opposed ends thereof for supporting panel means which extend therebetween, wherein the collapsible frame means include a braced lazy-tong structure which is designed to maintain the frames in erect disposition, and wherein bracing strut means are pivotally coupled to alternate outer apices of the lazy-tong structure for rendering the frame means both stable and rigid. To further enhance rigidity of the erect structure, the inner apices are normally formed as a straight angle when the shelter structure is in erect form, with these inner apices forming a series of spaced points along a semicircle of fixed radius. The collapsible shelter means may be taken down and stored in collapsed form when desired, with generally rigid or durable base side panels being provided to protect the structure from inadvertent damage during use and during storage.

Abstract: A collapsable, articulated wall structure is formed from pivotally interconnected links. In an erected configuration, the wall has a generally planar face which is suitable for hanging display posters. In a collapsed configuration, the wall folds into a compact bundle of generally parallel links. The wall is comprised of a plurality of rectangular parallelpiped sections. Each section has a first plurality of pivots in the four corners defining a face of the section and a second plurality of pivots on the other four corners of the section. The first plurality of pivots is connected with the second plurality of pivots by a plurality of side links which are pivotally interconnected in an X-shaped arrangement. Displaced slightly inward from the face plane is a face pivot which is connected to the first plurality of pivots by four face links. The section is releasably locked in its erected configuration by a locking link.